Impact of social-, health-, and disability-related factors on pregnancy outcomes in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A population-based latent class analysis.
Caroline Kassee, Yona Lunsky, Aditi Patrikar and 1 others
PMID 36621355WHAT IT FOUND
Women with intellectual disabilities face higher pregnancy risks, but the level depends on their specific profile.
Those with significant medical, psychiatric, and physical comorbidities had the greatest risk of complications like preterm birth and caesarean delivery.
Key findings
01Women with IDD and significant medical, psychiatric, and physical comorbidities had the highest risk of hypertensive disorders, caesarean delivery, and preterm birth compared to women without IDD.
02All identified subgroups of women with IDD had elevated risk of preterm birth compared to women without IDD, even if other risks were not significant.
03Class divisions were driven largely by age, comorbidities, and IDD type, while poverty and rural residence played a lesser role in distinguishing groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study is exploratory, meaning the subgroups identified may not apply to other populations without further validation. The cohort of women with IDD was relatively small (approx. 1,922 based on class sizes), so some characteristics had to be grouped into composites rather than examined individually. The data lacked information on important factors like individual-level socioeconomic status, receipt of disability supports, experiences of racism, and behavioral factors such as smoking or alcohol use. The study did not measure prenatal care access or quality, which could explain residual risks for preterm birth.
Declared interests
None to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all women with IDD have the same level of risk. The study shows that risk varies significantly by subgroup, with those having multiple comorbidities facing the highest dangers. However, all groups had elevated preterm birth risks, so blanket reassurance is inappropriate.